Steamboat Cruises on the Mississippi Today
Paddlewheels, yes; overnight steam, not right now. Here is what you can book.
Ask About Riverboat CruisesA Steamboat Cruise on the Mississippi River in 2026 and Beyond
If you search for a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi River, you will find plenty of paddlewheels and very little steam. That is the honest state of things: since February 2024 no overnight steamboat has carried cruise passengers on the river. What you can book is a modern riverboat cruise of three nights to three weeks, plus a real steamboat ride by day.
Your Options
Classic-style paddlewheelers
American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage and American Splendor recreate the look of the old packets, with modern engines and amenities.
Modern riverboats
American’s newer riverboats and the Viking Mississippi trade period style for big windows, balconies and contemporary design.
Steam by day
The Natchez in New Orleans and, on the Ohio, the Belle of Louisville offer a few hours under real steam.
Combining Steam and a River Cruise
The easiest combination is in New Orleans. Arrive a day before a lower-river cruise, take an afternoon harbor trip on the Natchez, and board your riverboat the next day. On itineraries that include the Ohio River, Louisville is a natural place to add an evening on the Belle.
The ports themselves keep the steamboat era alive. Hannibal remembers Mark Twain, who trained as a pilot on this river; the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum has exhibits on his piloting years. Natchez-Under-the-Hill and the Vicksburg waterfront were steamboat landings long before cruise ships.
Which Half of the River?
The lower river between New Orleans and Memphis is the classic steamboat route, full of Civil War and cotton-trade history. The upper river between St. Louis and St. Paul is quieter, with locks and bluffs. Our sister sites Lower Mississippi Riverboat Cruising and Upper Mississippi Riverboat Cruising cover each in detail, and our advisors can quote both.
What to Ask Before You Book
- Does the boat have a stern wheel, and can you watch it from a public deck?
- Which talks or lectures cover river and steamboat history?
- Is a pre-cruise hotel night in New Orleans, Memphis or St. Louis included?
- Which ports have a river museum or historic landing to visit?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi River I can book for several nights?
Not with steam power at present. Multi-night Mississippi cruises are sold by American Cruise Lines, including classic-style paddlewheelers, and by Viking. For real steam, add a day trip on the Natchez in New Orleans.
Will the Delta Queen sail again?
Its owners have long planned a return, and a 2018 law allows overnight service through 2028 once repairs are done, but no restart has been confirmed. We will report it here if that changes.
Which modern ships look most like steamboats?
American Cruise Lines’ paddlewheelers, American Heritage and American Splendor, are built in the classic style, with stacks, layered decks and a stern wheel.
Get a Mississippi Riverboat Quote
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare paddlewheeler and modern riverboat sailings and send free quotes.
Get Free Quotes